adjective

1. extending in the same direction and at the same distance apart at every point, so as never to meet, as lines, planes, etc.
2. having parallel parts or movements, as some machines, tools, etc.
3. 1. closely similar or corresponding, as in purpose, tendency, time, or essential parts
   2. characterized by a balanced or coordinated arrangement of syntactic elements, esp. of phrases or clauses “I came, I saw, I conquered” is an example of parallel structure
4. Comput.
   1. of or for the transmission of data, by means of several wires, a byte or more at a time a parallel port
   2. having to do with the performing of multiple operations simultaneously parallel processing
5. Elec. designating or of a circuit in parallel
6. Music having consistently equal intervals in pitch, as two parts of harmony, a series of chords, etc.

Etymology: Fr parallèle < L parallelus < Gr parallēlos < para-, side by side (see para-) + allēlos, one another < allos, other: see else

adverb

noun

1. something parallel to something else, as a line or surface
2. any person or thing essentially the same as, or closely corresponding to, another; counterpart
3. the condition of being parallel; conformity in essential points
4. any comparison showing the existence of similarity or likeness
5. in full parallel of latitude
   1. any of the imaginary lines parallel to the equator and representing degrees of latitude on the earth's surface
   2. such a line drawn on a map or globe
6. a sign (∥) used in printing as a reference mark
7. Elec. an arrangement of devices in a circuit, in which two or more components have their negative terminals joined to one conductor and their positive to another, so that an identical potential difference is applied to each component: usually in the phrase in parallel

transitive verb paralleled -·al·leled′ or parallelled -·al·lelled′, paralleling -·al·lel′·ing or parallelling -·al·lel′·ling

1. 1. to make (one thing) parallel to another
   2. to make parallel to each other
2. to be parallel with; extend parallel to a road that parallels the river
3. to compare (things, ideas, etc.) in order to show similarity or likeness
4. to be or find a counterpart for; match; equal